KTA seek to rebuild squad for national assignments

The Kenya Tae kwondo Association are in the process of rebuilding a national team after many years of wrangling.

National official and coach Robert Kagunda said the association is seeking representatives for the fin, heavy, fly, bantam, feather and welter weight categories.

Kagunda re-affirmed that KTA are seeking to redeem themselves after facing leadership wrangles and mismanagement that almost crippled the sector.he association on The tactician was speaking on Sunday during a tournament that attracted over 200 participants at Kenol in Murang’a town. Nairobi, Kiambu, Meru, Laikipia Nakuru, Migori, Mombasa and Narok are among the counties that sent players for the event.

“We want to restore the glory that the sport has lost over the years and rejuvenate it,” said Kagunda.

He said the association has been faring well in competitions recently and scooped some awards in international competition held in Korea last month.

Kagunda, however, noted that their efforts are being hampered by shortage of funds, forcing individual players to look for sponsors.

Ndung’u Ng’ang’a, Murang’a branch coach said the sport is offering a creative way of passing time for idle youth who end up engaging in drug abuse.

“Several of our players are recovering addicts who joined the sport after being rehabilitated,” Ndung’u said. He said players are fully engaged physically and mentally and have no time or energy to engage in crime or abuse drugs. He called on more youths to join the sport, saying it also helps in keeping fit.

The main objective of the sport, he said, is to expose young people to the international world and give them opportunities to better their lives.

“We have made some strides in preventing youths from engaging in self-destructive activities and we are asking the government to support our efforts,” he said.

He said members get a rare chance of traveling to different countries every year and that it is ideal for youths who are adventurous and want to see other parts of the world.